Pneumatic device for elevating and distributing seed-cotton



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. M. GARDNER. PNEUMATIC DEVIGE FOR ELBYATING AND DISTRIBUTING SEEDCOTTON.

(No Model.) @Shgets-Sheet 2. J. M. GARDNER. PNEUMATIC DEVICE FORBLEVATING AND DISTRIBUTING SEED COTTON.

lllllll I t 1 l Illllll l Patented Mar. 10

ANDREW I! ERMAM PHUTD-UTHO wAsumsro|-x.nc

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JEFFERSON M. GARDNER, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

PNEUMATIC DEVICE FOR ELEVATING AND DISTRIBUTING SEED-COTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,180, dated. March10, 1896.

I Application filed September 25,1895. Serial No. 563,692. KNo model.)

"tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to devices for elevatin g and distributingseed-cotton.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means forelevating seedcotton from a wagon or platform and for depositing it inreceptacles from which it passes to feed-boxes of cotton-gins or toplaces of storage.

Further, the object of the invention is to provide simple and effectivemeans for elevating seed-cotton from a wagon or platform and fordistributing it successively in a series of receptacles in which it isstored or from which it is discharged to the feed-boxes of gins.

Further, the object of the invention is to provide means forelevatingseed-cotton from a wagon or platform by means of suction created in atube and for depositing the same in receptacles, and then dischargingthe cotton to gin-feeders or places of storage by the action of gravity,and to provide an overflow or vacuum box for the reception of cotton notreceived by the receptacles and which would otherwise enter the fan bywhich the suction in the tube is created.

Further, the object of the invention is to provide means for elevatingand distributing seed-cotton whereby the cotton may be taken from awagon or platform, carried through a tube, automatically directed intoreceptacles in which the return-passage of the cotton is prevented, andto prevent passage of the overflow of cotton to the fan by which theexhaust in the tube is created.

WVith these objects in view the invention consists of a seed-cottonelevator and distributer comprising a tube connected with anexhaust-fan, movable deflectors composed of upper and lower portions,which portions, ac-

cording to the position in which they are placed, form, respectively,the upper and lower walls of the tube, or form a downward extension ofthe tube.

Further, the invention consists of a seedcotton elevator and distributercomprising a tube connected with an exhaust-fan, movable deflectorscomposed of upper and lower portions and arranged in the tube,receptacles arranged adjacent to the tube, and movable doors arranged atthe juncture of the tube and the receptacles and serving to form aportion of the lower wall of the tube or to afford a passage from thereceptacles to the tube. 1 7

Further, the invention consists of a seedcotton elevator and distributercomprising a tube connected with an exhaust-fan, receptaoles arrangedadjacent to the tube, downward extensions from the tube communicatingwith the receptacles, deflectors composed of upper and lower portionsarranged adjacent to the downward extensions, and means for moving thedeflectors and retaining them in any desired position.

Further, thein vention consists of means for elevating and distributingseed-cotton comprising a tube, a fan for exhausting air from thetube,and receptacles connected with the tube, the interior of thereceptacles being provided with flaps or wings whereby the upwardpassage of cotton is prevented.

Further, the invention consists of a device for elevating anddistributing seedcotton comprising a tube, movable deflectors arrangedin the tube, receptacles communicating with the tube, movable doors orpartitions arranged between the tube and the receptacles, and ropesconnected with the doors and with the movable deflectors.

Finally, the invention consists of various novel details of constructionand arrangement of parts whereby the objects of the invention areattained.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the elevator and distributer, theinlet-nozzle and the overfiow-box being shown in section. Fig. 2 is afragmental view particularly showing means for operating the movabledeflectors'and the door or partition which is arranged between ICO thetube and receptacle. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, the deflectorand doors being shown in position when the cotton is allowed to passbeyond the receptacles shown. Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view ofthe parts of the device shown in Fig. 2, the movable deflector beingarranged to direct cotton into the receptacle. Fig. 5 is a verticallongitudinal sectional view, the parts being arranged to conduct cottonpast the receptacle shown. Fig. (3 is a vertical sectional view showingthe screen and partition arranged in the tube and also showing theentrance to the overflow or vacuum boxes. Fig. 7 is ahorizontalsectional view. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8 of Fig. 2, showing infull lines the positions of the parts when the receptacle is adapted toreceive cotton and in dotted lines the positions of the door arrangedbetween the tube and the receptacle when cotton is not to enter thereceptacle; and Fig. 9 is a perspective sectional view, one side beingbroken away, showing one of the receptacles and the flaps or wingstherein.

In the drawings, A represents a tube which is provided at one end withan exhaust-fan A and at the other end with an inlet-nozzle A The tube isprovided at inter\-'als with windows closed by plates of glass to permitinspection of the interior of the tube. The inlet-nozzle A is connectedwith the tube A by any suitable means which will permit the universalmovement of the nozzle as, for instance, by the tube a, of canvas,rubber or the like, attached to the end of the tube and to the upper endof the nozzle A Arranged at suitable distances apart along and beneaththe tube A are any desired number of receptacles 1), there being in thepresent embodiment of the invention two of these receptacles shown. Theupper end of each receptacle 13 is open and at its point of juncturewith the tube the latter has its bottom removed. Suspended to one sideof the tube and connected therewith by hinges is a door I), which whenclosed cuts off communication between the tube and the receptacles andforms a portion of the bottom of the tube, and which when open forms theupper portion of one side of the receptacle. The receptacle is providedaround the sides of the opening closed by the door with strips ofleather, rubber, or the like, which will be drawn inward by the suctioncreated in the tube and thus prevent inlet of air around the door.

Adjacent to each receptacle 13 is a downward extension a from the tubeA. This extension communicates with the side of the receptacle adjacentto which it is placed. Pivotal] y mounted in the tube above eachextension a are thin boards 0 0 whose ends are connected by a brace cpivotally connected to the respective boards and provided with a roller0. The board 0, which is arranged in the upper portion of the tube,forms a deflector by which cotton passing from the inlet-nozzle throughthe tube is directed through the extension (L2 to the receptacle 13. Thelower board C forms the lower portion of the passage from the tube tothe receptacle when in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, andforms a portion of the lower wall 01: the tube A when moved into thepositions shown in Figs. 3, 5, 7, and 8.

The door Z), which serves to separate, when desired, the receptacle Bfrom the tube A, is provided on one side with hinges attaching it to thetube, and on the other side with a latch Z1 designed to engage asuitable opening in the side of the receptacle l3. Connected with thislatch is a rope I), which passes through an opening in an arm 6 attachedto the door I) over an idle-pulley (I attached to the frame of thereceptacle, thence over the pulley c on the brace c, and from there to asuitable point convenient for grasping by an operator. The arrangementof the parts described is such that by pulling on the rope D thedeflector O and the boards 0 will be moved on their pivots to bring theminto the position shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 7. Continued pulling on therope will withdraw the latch, and a i'urtlnn' continuance will result inmoving the door Z) into a horizontal position by pulling on the arms I),which extend from the door b. The other end 1) of the rope passesthrough an opening in a guide-plate d and is attached to the door I). Bypulling on the .rope I) the door I) may be drawn from a position closingthe passage between the tube and the receptacle to a position openingthe passage. The free ends of the boards 0 and C are oi? a greaterweight than the ends to which the brace is connected, so that byreleasing the rope D the deflector C will fall into position to directcotton to the receptacle.

The rope may be fastened in any suitable way, preferably by passing itbetween frietion-wheels (Z attached to the frame of the elevator or inany other suitable or convenient place.

The lower end of each receptacle 13 is provided with doors or flaps 13*,there being two of these doors or flaps arranged one on each. of twoopposite sides of the receptacle. The doors or flaps are hinged at theirupper ends and are free to remain open until closed by the suctioncreated in the tube.

The walls of the receptacle are provided with windows Z), closed byplates of glass, through which the height of the cotton in. thereceptacles may be ascertained from the c.\'- terior. The interior ofeach receptacle is provided at intervals with flaps or wings ll, ofcanvas, rubber, leather, or the like. The flaps or wings are attached attheir upper edges to the inner walls of the receptacles and have theirlower ends free to be moved out in order to engage the cotton andprevent its upward movement or the upward passage of air between thecotton and the wall.

The tube A extends a suitable distance beyond the receptacles, andinterposed. between it and the fan by which the suction in the tube iscreated is a frame E, covered with wire-netting or the like and entirelyobstruct ing the passage of cotton or other substance through the tube.Arranged between the frame E and that portion of the tube which isconnected to the fan is a board or wall F, extending upward in the tubea'distance corresponding to the height of the frame E. In this way thecurrent of air passing to the fan is obstructed and caused to impingeupon the board, and centralization of the draft on any part of thecovered frame E, which might result in clogging, is prevented.

Between the frame E and the fan in the tube A is arranged a damper G,which is mounted on a suitable shaft g. Attached to this shaft g is anarm g from which extends a rope g by which the damper may be operated.Depending from the arm g is a weighted arm g the tendency of which is toretain the chamber G in an open position, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 ofthe drawings.

Arranged below the frame E is a vacuum or overflow chamber H, which isprovided with windows covered with glass and with interior wings orflaps B corresponding to those in the receptacles B. The lower end ofthe vacuum or overflow chamber is provided on two opposite sides withpivoted doors or flaps h, and bearing on the outside of these flaps ordoors, having a tendency to keep them in a closed position, as shown inFig. 1, are springs These springs are of light tension in order thatthey may be only sufficient to keep the doors in a closed position whennot opened by the weight of cotton in the boxes. The function of thesesprings is to retain the doors or flaps h in a closed position whenstarting the elevator in order that the suction in the tube A to drawcotton through the inlet-nozzle may not be destroyed by inlet of airthrough the vacuum or overflow boxes.

In the operation of the device, when constructed as described, the fanis started and in this way suction is created in the tube. The nozzle Abeing brought into contact with the seed-cotton to be elevated anddistrubted, and the deflector being in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2,4E, and 8, and the doors in the openings between the tube-receptaclesbeing open, the cotton will be deflected into the first receptacle, Whensufficient cotton has passed into the first receptacle to bring it to aheight sufficient to be acted upon by the suction in the tube, thecotton passing from the nozzle will move over the top of the firstreceptacle and will be directed into the second, and so on, according tothe number of receptacles employed. Any cotton which may escape beingdeposited into either of the receptacles will pass to the vacuum oroverflow box to be retained therein until the weight of the cotton issufficient to overcome the springs h, when the doors h will open andallow its discharge.

The doors or flaps B in the bottoms of the receptacles are retained in aclosed position by the suction created in the tube until the weight ofthe cotton in the receptacle is such as to overcome the force thusexerted, when the doors will open and the receptacles will thusautomatically empty themselves.

As the cotton drops into the receptacles it will naturally pack closelyand present a mass whose body is practically impervious to air. Theparticular and important functions of the flaps B are toprevent passageof air upward around the body of the cotton, which would usually belooser at its edge and therefore more liable to be carried upward bycurrents of air, and to engage the body of the cotton at its edges andprevent its rising. The flaps are, as described, of flexible materialand are attached at their upper edges and loose at their lower edges.From this it will be seen that in the event of there being spaces aroundthe sides of the body of cotton through which a current of air might bedrawn the flaps will at once be moved outward, filling the spaces, thusshutting off the currents of air, and will also engage the body of thecotton, checking any tendency to rising.

The operation may continue indefinitely, as the height of thereceptacles and the force of the suction in the tube A may easily be soregulated as to allow discharge of cotton from the receptacles atpredetermined intervals that is, when suflicient weight of cotton isaccumulated-and in this way a regular feed to cotton-gins arranged belowthe receptacles is provided.

lVhen the door 1) of any of the receptacles is closed the latter will becut off from the tube A, and as the closing of the door renders the tubeA at the point at which it is placed intact the cotton will be carriedpast the receptaclethus shut off.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A seedcotton elevator and distributer, comprising a tube connectedwith an exhaustfan, movable deflectors composed of upper and lowerportions, and means for moving the deflectors whereby they formrespectively portions of the upper and lower walls of the I tube, orform a downward extension of the tube, substantially as described. 1

2. A seed-cotton elevator and distributer, comprising a tube connectedwith an exhaustfan, movable deflectors composed of upper and lowerportions and arranged in the tube, receptacles arranged adjacent to thetube, and movable doors arranged at the junctures of the tube and thereceptacles, and serving to form a portion of the lower wall of the tubeor to afford a passage from the receptacle to the tube, substantially asdescribed.

3. A seed-cotton elevator and distributer comprising a tube connectedwith an exhaustfan,receptacles arranged adjacent to the tube,

downward extensions from the tube communicating with the receptacles,deflectors composed of upper and lower portions arranged adjacent to thedownward extensions, and means for moving the deflectors and retainingthem in any desired position, substantially as described.

4. A cotton-seed elevator and distributer comprising a tube connectedwith an exhaustfan, downward extensions from the tube, pivoteddeflectors composed of upper and lower portions arranged adjacent to thedownward extensions, a passage between the tube and each receptacle, anddoors arranged in the passages, substantially as described.

5. A seed-cotton elevator and distributer comprising a tube connectedwith an exhaustfan, downward extensions from the tube, pi voteddeflectors composed of upper and lower portions arranged adjacent to thedownward extensions, receptacles arranged adjacent to the tube andcommunicating with the downward extensions, a passage between the tubeand each receptacle, doors arranged in the passages, and ropes eachconnected at one end to one of the doors, and one end of each ropepassing over a part connected with one of the pivoted deflectors,substantially as described.

6. A seedcotton elevator and distributer comprising a tube, a fan forexhausting air from the tube, and receptacles connected with the tube,the receptacles being provided with flaps or wings whereby the upwardpassage of cotton in the receptacles is prevented, substantially asdescribed.

7. A seed-cotton elevator and distributer comprising a conveyor-tube,receptacles arranged adjacent to the tube and designed to receive cottonfrom the same, the receptacles being provided with flaps or wingswhereby the upward movement of cotton in the receptacles is prevented,substantially as described.

8. A seed-cotton elevator and distributcr comprising a tube, a fan forexhausting air from the tube, movable deflectors arranged in the tube,receptacles arranged ad jaeent to the deflectors and an overflow orvacuum box connected with the tube and provided with wings or flaps forpreventing upward movement of the cotton, and also provided at its lowerend with pivoted wings or flaps having springs bearing thereon,substantially as described.

9. A seed-cotton elevator and distributor comprising a tube, means forexhausting air from the tube, and receptacles arranged adjacent to thetube and communicating therewith, the receptacles being provided ontheir inner faces with strips of canvas, rubber, or the like attached tothe faces at their upper edges, and having their lower edges i'ree substantially as described.

10. A seed-cotton elevator and distributor comprising a tube, providedat intervals with openings in its bottom, a fan for exhausting air fromthe tube, receptacles arranged beneath the openings in the tube, andhaving the upper portions of their walls removed, strips of leather orthe like arranged around the spaces thus formed, and swinging doorscapable of closing the openings in the tube or for forming parts of thewalls of the receptacles, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JEFFERSON M. GARDNER.

\Vitnesses S. P. BAYLY, J12, F. D. BERRY.

